fossil

Fossilized Ray Barb (Stinger) Fragment

Myliobatiformes indet. (Fossil stingray spine)

Hardness: 3-5 Mohs (mineralized apatite/phosphate); Color: Dark brown to jet black due to mineral replacement (pyritization or phosphatization); Luster: Dull to slightly waxy; Features: Distinctive parallel longitudinal grooves along the blade and small sand grains adhering.

Hardness: 3-5 Mohs (mineralized apatite/phosphate)
Luster: Dull to slightly waxy

Identified July 26, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the biomineralization of stingray tail spines deposited in marine or estuarine coastal sediments, which over millions of years (typically Miocene to Pleistocene epoch) underwent fossilization.

Uses & applications

Mainly collected by amateur beachcombers, fossil enthusiasts, and educational institutions for study and display.

Geological facts

Stingray barbs are modified dermal denticles (placoid scales) made of vasodentine. They are shed continuously throughout the ray's life, which makes them relatively common fossil finds along ancient Atlantic and Gulf Coast beaches.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its flat or slightly curved profile with deep longitudinal serrated ridges/grooves. Common on beaches along the East Coast of North America (e.g., Maryland, Virginia, Florida). Collectors should look for symmetry, parallel ribbing, and dark mineralized bone texture.

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